For a long time the Austrian capital Vienna was overlooked in favor of traditional picks Paris and London. Recently the city has been receiving more of the attention it deserves. Cassidy Hazelbaker reviews some of the city’s highlights.

A great vacation begins with a comfortable home away from home, and in Vienna, nowhere feels more welcoming than The Ritz Carlton, Vienna. Situated inside four historical palaces which have been joined together, the hotel’s exterior blends together Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque influences which are reflected throughout the interior, through elements such as formidable staircases and delicately-detailed fireplaces.

From the first step into the lobby, the Ritz Carlton’s trademark luxury settles upon its residents. Stylish beige and taupe, paired with sleek contemporary but not overly modern lines, maintain the rich elegance of Vienna’s history as an empirical city without compromising comfort or taste. Vibrant modern art sprinkled throughout the lobby and common areas provides a pop of color. The extravagance continues inside the rooms, where natural light streams in, illuminating the soft textures and fabrics on the furnishings. Marble bathrooms entice guests to relax with a bubble bath, using high-quality bath products from Asprey London.

For guests wishing to pamper themselves further, the hotel’s spa is a veritable urban retreat. The spa menu offers a full array of detoxing and anti-ageing massages, facials, and body treatments using organic Austrian cosmetic products from Susanne Kaufmann. The spa also offers yoga, along with a fitness center, pool and sauna.

Guests visiting during warm weather can soak in unparalleled sunset views of the city from The Ritz Carlton, Vienna’s rooftop bar, Atmosphere, or dine in the hotel’s premier farm-to-table steakhouse, Dstrikt Steakhouse.

Located in central Vienna, on the ring road, The Ritz Carlton, Vienna is perfectly situated for exploring the sights of the historical city. Vienna was established by Celtic settlers in the first millennium BC, and has played an important role in many empires since. The city’s robust history can be fully explored in the Vienna Museum Karlsplatz, which also features first-rate art work, notably Gustav Klimt’s Pallas Athene.

After soaking in some history, visitors can stop at the Café Sacher to sample Vienna’s most famous dessert, the sachertorte. Created by Franz Sacher for Prince Wenzel von Metternich in 1832, the sachertorte consists of a dense chocolate cake with a thin layer of apricot jam at the top, coated overall with a dark chocolate icing. Served with unsweetened whipped cream and a coffee, it is a delicious way to indulge first-hand in Viennese culture.

No holiday is complete without a little shopping, and there is no better place to pick up a deluxe souvenir than the Goldenes Quartier. High-end boutiques of international designers such as Prada, Saint Laurent and Chanel offer the latest line of accessories and couture all in a historic ambiance in the heart of Vienna’s 1st district. For those looking to take home a bit of bespoke craftsmanship, head to the nearby Rudolf Scheer & Söhne atelier, where six generations of the Scheer family have been crafting tailor-made shoes for centuries for Vienna’s elite, including Emperor Franz Jospeh. For men looking to add to their wardrobe, the Knize & Comp label has been synonymous with classic elegance since 1922, producing quality suits and tuxedos, and producing a signature fragrance for worldly gentleman called Knize Ten. Ladies looking to spruce up their homes must stop by Zur Schwäbischen Jungfrau for custom-tailored table linens, bedding and towels.

Glittering jewelry is abundant in Vienna’s “Golden U” shopping district- comprising Kohlmarkt, Graben and Kärntner streets. Gadner and Schullin are two famous Austrian jewelry houses located along the Golden U, and there is something for everyone amongst their dazzling gemstone-encrusted creations. The Dorotheum auction house, founded by Emperor Joseph I, has been an eminent Viennese institution for more than 300 years. Located in a former convent turned palace, a stop at the Dorotheum’s elegant salons and showrooms is unmissable for anyone interested in procuring valuable art or antique jewelry.

Vienna cemented its place as an artistic capital of Europe long ago, with an extensive list of renowned artists and musicians basing themselves in the city. Prominent among them is classical music genius Mozart, who is buried southeast of the city center in St. Marx Cemeterey. A unique form of art and a must-see show while in Vienna is a performance by the famous Lipizzan horses at the Spanish Riding School. A highly refined ballet for horses, the incredible demonstration features Lipizzan stallions performing an intricate routine of stylized jumps, rearing and mirror-image formations known as “airs above the ground,” all set to classical music. The horses are trained using traditional methods based on classical dressage, dating back hundreds of years. Both horses and riders are dressed immaculately in all their finery, and are truly a sight to see.

With its myriad museums, shops, cafes, and heritage sights, Vienna could keep a traveler busy for days. Whether as a short stop in conjunction with other European cities or as a destination on its own, this distinguished city is sure to become a staple to every European itinerary.